Introduction
Rafael Devers, the Dominican-born baseball dynamo, has captured the attention of fans and analysts alike—not only for his prodigious power at the plate but also for his high-profile contract, his on-field rituals, and his growing net worth. In this deep dive, we’ll address four common points of intrigue:
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Chew Tobacco? Does Devers really use it—or is that just myth?
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Contract insights: What deal binds him (and for how long)?
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Home Run exploits: What makes him such a slugging threat?
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Net Worth: Just how wealthy is Rafael Devers by 2025 standard?
Let’s unpack each.
1. Chew Tobacco: Fact or Fiction?
Over the years, spectators have often noticed Devers seemingly chewing something during games—sparking speculation about chewing tobacco use. However, this is a misconception.
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MLB banned smokeless tobacco for players who debuted after the 2016 season—and Devers made his MLB debut in July 2017, making on-field tobacco use strictly prohibited during games.
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A popular Reddit thread poked fun at his chewing, but it clarified:
“He chews on a wad of gum and sunflower seeds during games. He can’t chew tobacco. Not only is smokeless tobacco banned in Boston but it is banned by the MLB for any player that came in after 2016 season.”
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A 2023 Sportskeeda article further confirmed this notion: the chewing is not tobacco, and MLB and Massachusetts rules prohibit its use
So, while Devers may look like he’s dipping, he’s actually just chewing gum or seeds—no chew tobacco involved.
2. Contract: The Big Deal
Rafael Devers is one of baseball’s highest-paid stars, having inked a substantial long-term deal before being traded in mid-2025.
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Deal Details: Devers signed a 10-year, $313.5 million contract with the Red Sox, including a $20 million signing bonus—guaranteed throughout.
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Extension Notes: There’s also reference to an 11-year, $331 million extension in some sources—but the consensus seems to point toward the 10-year, $313.5 million deal as accurate.
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After the Trade: In June 2025, Devers was traded to the San Francisco Giants, who assumed the remainder of his contract—about $250 million over the next 8.5 years
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Salary Breakdown:
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2025–2026: $27.5 million annually
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2027–2030: $31 million annually
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2031–2033: ~$29 million annually
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Strategic Impact: The Giants’ acquisition marked their first time embracing such a blockbuster payroll commitment. Buster Posey spearheaded a strategic pivot toward investing aggressively in top-tier talent.
3. Home Runs and Slugger Status
Devers’ power and consistency at the plate are central to his prominence.
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Career Highlights:
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Became the youngest Red Sox player to hit a home run since 1965 in his rookie debut season (2017) Wikipedia.
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A key member of Boston’s 2018 World Series champion team.
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Multiple All-Star selections (2021, 2022, 2024) and Silver Slugger Awards in 2021 and 2023.
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Explosive Production:
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In 2019: Batted .311 with 32 home runs, 115 RBIs, 201 hits, and led the majors in extra-base hits and total bases.
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Post-Trade Performance: His 2025 line with the Giants featured a .271/.400/.494 slash, 18 doubles, 14 homers, and a 2.2 WAR—illustrating his value even after the move.
Devers’ consistent power output underscores why teams are willing to invest heavily in him.
4. Net Worth: What’s Rafael Devers Earned So Far?
Estimating his net worth involves his contracts and career earnings—but figures vary across sources.
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Spotrac/SalarySport Estimate: Reports his net worth at around $350 million, with an annual salary of $17.5 million (figure may reflect earlier years)
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Times of India Insight: Aligns with the 10-year deal, projecting ongoing financial security post-2023.
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Other Estimates: Some sites offer a more conservative figure of $50–100 million—likely outdated or based on earlier stages of his career.
While figure divergence exists, it’s safe to say Devers has amassed substantial wealth—most estimates range between $100 million and $350 million, making him one of baseball’s financially elite players.
Summary Table
| Topic | Key Insights |
|---|---|
| Chew Tobacco | No—MLB ban enforced; likely chewing gum or seeds. |
| Contract | 10-year, $313.5M deal with Red Sox; Giants absorbed ~$250M remaining post-trade. |
| Home Runs | Elite slugger since 2017—regular All-Star, WS champion, consistent HR output. |
| Net Worth | Estimated between ~$100M–$350M, depending on source and metrics. |
Final Thoughts
Rafael Devers continues to be a powerhouse—on the field, at the bargaining table, and in terms of earnings. Though quirky chewing behavior stirred curiosity, it boiled down to innocuous gum or seeds—not tobacco. His blockbuster contract underscored his star value—and the Giants’ bold stance reflects faith in his prime-age production.
Looking ahead to the rest of the 2025 season and beyond, all eyes will stay on Devers—both for those mammoth home runs and the financial legacy he continues to build.
